Slow Cooker or Pressure Cooker? Everything You Need to Know in One Simple Guide

Slow cookers and pressure cookers are both useful kitchen tools with many benefits, but they are totally different from each other. One of them may be better suited to meet your needs, tastes, and schedule, so we’ll explain the differences and the advantages of each type, and suggest some of the best models on the market.

Slow Cookers vs. Pressure Cookers

Slow cookers and pressure cookers are often used to make similar dishes, like soups, stews, broth, and chili. The biggest difference between these two cooking methods is the temperature used, and thus, the time needed to cook the food. Slow cookers use low temperatures to cook food slowly over several hours; pressure cookers use high pressure to raise the temperature of the liquid inside and cook soups, stews, and other foods in as little as five minutes. Let’s talk more about the specific features and the advantages they confer.

1. Slow Cookers

Slow cookers, often called Crock-pots after a popular brand, are countertop electrical appliances that cook food at very low simmering temperatures. They consist of a ceramic or porcelain ‘crock’ into which the food is placed, a metal and/or plastic housing with a heating element, and a lid, usually glass. The heating element transfers heat to the ceramic crock, which slowly absorbs and distributes it, gently cooking the food. The lid creates a weak seal that traps steam and keeps the food moist, which is essential for proper operation of the slow cooker.

Typical cooking times range from 4-12 hours, and because there is no open flame, they can be left unattended for most of that period. Most models have an automatic shutoff function in case too much water evaporates and the contents start to overheat.

a. What Can You Make with a Slow Cooker?

Slow cookers are incredibly versatile. In addition to soups, stews, chili, pot roasts, and pulled pork, you can use it to make some foods that might surprise you. Cheesecake, lasagna, stuffing, meatloaf, oatmeal, desserts, corn bread, and more can all be made with this one appliance. Check out these articles from Taste of Home and PopSugar for more cool ideas.

They are also useful as a warming device when serving large quantities of food, even for dishes that were not made in it. For example, holiday dishes like Swedish meatballs or roast turkey (sliced) can be mad ahead of time, then reheated or kept warm in a slow cooker with a splash of broth.

b. Key Slow Cooker Advantages

Very safe and can be left unattended

Can be used to cook many things, plus warming and reheating

Easy to use and hard to overcook foods

Many recipes can be easily adapted to slow cooker

Easy to make large quantities of food

c. Disadvantages

As the name would suggest, slow cooking times

Require electricity

May take up a lot of space

2. Pressure Cookers

Pressure cookers come in two basic types, stovetop and electric. Both types have great features and the best choice will depend on your preferences.

Stovetop pressure cookers are simple – they consist of a metal pot, a metal lid with a pressure release valve, and a locking device.

Electric pressure cookers have a metal and plastic housing with an electric heating element, a metal insert in which the food is cooked, and a locking lid.

Many people find electric pressure cookers easier to use, since pressure, temperature, and cooking times are automatically controlled. This makes them somewhat safer, though modern stovetop models are quite safe as well when used properly. Nonetheless, pressure cookers cannot be left unattended for more than a few moments, though since most cooking times are quite short this usually isn’t a problem.

a. What Can You Make with a Pressure Cooker?

Many liquid-based dishes can be safely and quickly cooked in a pressure cooker, including soup, stew, broth, chili, curry, risotto, and braised meats. You can also use it to make fillings for things like savory pies and enchiladas, thereby speeding up the cooking process for a wide variety of dishes. Read this article for examples of delicious pressure cooker meals.

While they do need some moisture to function, they don’t require as much as a slow cooker. Pressure cookers can be used to cook liquid-based dishes, like soups and broth, as well as foods like steamed veggies or fish.

b. Key Pressure Cooker Advantages

Fast cooking times, with the added benefit of saving energy

Can be used to make a wide variety of soups, stews, and other dishes

High temperatures can create flavors unattainable at normal boiling point

Best Slow Cooker

The original slow cooker, Crock-Pot models are both affordable and reliable. This model offers the basic slow cooker function without additional bells and whistles. The Crock-Pot Cook ‘N Carry 6-Quart Slow Cooker is available here

The Hamilton Beach Set ‘n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker with Temperature Probe offers features that make this model extra useful in your kitchen. It’s slightly more expensive than some non-digital models, but still affordable. The Hamilton Beach Set ‘n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker With Temperature Probe is available here.

The Kuhn Rikon Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker is an excellent choice for a stovetop model. It is a higher-end product and somewhat more expensive than the cheapest models while remaining affordable. Available here

Must be hand washed rather than put in the dishwasher. In addition, if any food enters the pressure release valve, the valve must be disassembled to be fully cleaned – though this is true of any pressure cooker.

On the expensive side

Cannot be programmed – all adjustments and timing are manual

Cannot be left unattended

Can be dangerous if used incorrectly, though it does have good safety features

You may want to check out some of the many Instant Pot Cookbooks, such The Instant Pot Cookbook, Easy & Healthy Instant Pot Recipes, and Paleo Cooking With Your Instant Pot.

Pros

Offers three temperatures in multiple modes such as slow cook and sauté, so you can use it for many types of recipes.

10 preset programs also make it easy to get perfect results for rice, soups, porridge, cheesecakes, soft- and hard-boiled eggs, and broth.

Constructed from high-quality stainless steel

Comes with helpful accessories including a stainless steel steam rack, rice paddle, soup spoon, and measuring cup. The inner pot and lid are both made of stainless steel and are dishwasher safe, and the outer housing can be cleaned with a damp cloth.

Safety features built in throughout to ensure that the temperature and pressure never reach dangerous levels, including a safety lid lock, automatic pressure and temperature control, anti-blockage vent, excess pressure protection, and automatic power cut off.

Cons

More expensive than stovetop pressure cookers

Its many-part construction can make it difficult to repair if problems arise

More expensive than stovetop pressure cookers and some other electric models

Difficult to repair if problems arise

Takes up some counter space

Requires some reading to use correctly

Conclusion

In this article, we aimed to give you an introduction to of all the great things you can do with slow and pressure cookers – soups, stews, rice, potatoes, beans, eggs – even surprising dishes like cheesecake and brownies! Now that you know the possible uses and advantages of slow cookers, stovetop pressure cookers, and electric pressure cookers, you should be able to choose the type that bests suits your needs, schedule, and cooking preferences. You can use our detailed table to make it even easier to compare, and our product recommendations to decide which model to order. Happy cooking!

My name is Sabrina. I’m a total foodie and a wanderlust-driven traveler. Throughout my travels, I’ve been able to taste many cultures and curate a ton of recipes! I truly hope you enjoy the recipes I’ve been able to enlighten you with through the power of blogging.